For nearly eight years, the seal between the double glazing on two of our windows has been broken, and condensation has progressively clouded the internal side of the glass and our view into the garden. Also, the old style of window is a … Read more

My wife Caroline recently reminded me of a story given to her by her dad, Kirk, when she was visiting him in the hospital. It was about one of the other patients who was in the same ward and how he had come to be there. Apparently, the … Read more

Recently, I sat in church next to my eldest daughter, Hannah, and her daughter, Anastasia, who was sitting on her mother's knee whilst eating with her hands. I thought, *I am glad my time has passed to get involved with those sticky … Read more

When my daughter Sarah was born, x-rays revealed that she was missing a lung and needed the assistance of life support to breathe. The doctors gave her ninety percent oxygen to keep her alive in an incubator. After surgery to move her … Read more

Exceptionally strong winds in Nevada and Utah, USA, have caused large quantities of rolling tumbleweed to invade town, where it has congregated at fences, which provide a barrier to rest against, burying cars and other objects in the … Read more

When I read Martin Wiles' devotional on January 9, 2024, Unexpected Blessing, I was reminded of a time when God made a way for my family to move. In July, 2008, just prior to our daughter … Read more

Recently, I listened to a BBC radio programme called The Life Scientific with guest interviewee Professor Sir Michael Berry, a physicist, born in 1941, who reviewed his life's work with … Read more

In the autumn, we managed to clear some of our financial liabilities for the house. This has enabled us, for the first time in a number of years, to have some financial headroom. So, I took Caroline out to visit the local jewellers to buy … Read more

Professor Karl Barth, who lived from 1886 to 1968, was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century. His biographer, Busch, characterizes him as a bit of a rebel in his youth, probably as a reaction to an overzealous mother's … Read more

In March, 2020, my sister-in-law Joanne passed away very unexpectedly. The family of three — Joanne, Caroline (my wife), and Dora (their mum) — were all very close due to the demise of their dad when the girls were but teenagers. Joanne … Read more

One of my daily tasks is to empty out the washing machine. I wipe around the flexible rubber seal that connects the washing machine drum and door. During the wash cycle, grease and crud sticks to the rubber over the course of a family's … Read more

From its inception, I have had several injections of COVID vaccine; my latest was in September 2023. These jabs have saved me from the worst effects of catching the disease, as I did earlier this year. Praise God, so far, I have not been … Read more

My local Member of Parliament (MP) has shown by his actions that he is man of integrity and commitment to get things done or highlighted as in need of action, and for that he is to be commended. In recognition of his erudition, he has a … Read more

I went shopping recently and bought some chocolate and sticky toffee puddings for a quick Sunday lunch. I also bought a packet of sponge pot scourers to replace the worn-out ones that I use to clean the pots and pans. When I got to the … Read more

Recently, I was in a store doing my grocery shopping. As I waited at the till, I heard a little voice in the next aisle. I say that I heard, but the reality was that most of the shop could hear this small child screaming, "Gimme, gimme, … Read more

Recently, our family was visiting my wife's mother in Rochdale, England. Caroline decided to take the children and her mum on a shopping trip into nearby Manchester, leaving me at the house. As I slurped my tea, I received a telephone … Read more

In our marriage, God has always been there for us as we both have had to partner with Him in undertaking the hard yards to achieve our goals. Sometimes, it becomes challenging to thank God for the work that we are doing, when we are … Read more

Recently, the flat roof over my office leaked, and I had to mend it and repair the ruined internal walls. Deep joy — not! Before our arrival here, the garage had been converted into a living space. As a result, this external half of a … Read more

As I write this on August 14, 2023, it is our thirtieth wedding anniversary. Caroline has posted on Facebook a picture of us on our wedding day. Oh, how young we looked then! It has made me reflect upon our journey together over time. So … Read more

Two years ago, at age 66, I officially retired, and I decided that it was time to buy a newer car. On the main dealer's forecourt, I found one, three years old, with 15,000 miles on it and four-wheel drive — exactly what we needed for … Read more

I used to be not so good at listening — I was better at the doing. Now, as the doing gets harder, the listening becomes more vital. Earlier in life when I was working, I used to like to zoom up the motorways to visit customers. These … Read more

Daisy, our West Highland Terrier, is now a year old. She amazes us by loving us, never growling in fear, even after being taken to the vet for an operation, and barking only to call us to play or to let her outside. Having had her … Read more

Recently, I started to cook myself a breakfast of fried eggs on toast when I realized that one of the main ingredients was missing: eggs. I had one from the old carton in the refrigerator, but where were the rest of the eggs? The … Read more

Recently, one of our leaders led the church community's "all-age spot". She held up a piece of string as a visual aid and asked some children to come up and help her to hold it as a representation of time. They stretched it out across the … Read more

Recently, I took my daughter to school to save her the "long" walk with her backpack and kit. It's not far. The car has an electric heater in the windscreen that clears away the frost, which is great on a frosty morning. On the way home, … Read more

I have started to learn French. I use an app that has a competitive edge to it. I have been doing it for over a month now, and already, I am up in the Emerald League and fifth from the top of the leader board. Unwittingly, I seem to have … Read more

Recently, I had to bring my mother-in-law, Dora, to our home from 150 miles up the motorways of England. Due to strikes, the trains were presently unpredictable so car transport was the only possible way. At the start, to be on the safe … Read more

Recently, I fixed the shower by attaching a new shower head to the flexible hose that comes from the taps. This was no big deal as I am a practical-minded person. More recently, however, I noticed that the screw-fit connector to the pipe … Read more

We have a dog called Daisy. She is the sweetest, fluffiest, cuddliest dog that anyone could ever wish to have. I tend to be the one who feeds and does the necessary when called upon to keep everything shipshape, and I appear to be the … Read more

Recently, I have had the chutzpah to update my desktop computer. The undertaking has also involved the updating of my own technological skills due to the advent of new gizmos and widgets. It has been at least seven years since I built the … Read more

I am getting older, and with age comes an increasing awareness of the need for God's timing, grace, and provision, not just for eternity — what I like to call "pie in the sky when you die" — but also His providential mercy to enable us … Read more

I have had a tough time lately — full-on aggravation. Prior to the purchase of our puppy, Daisy, our money was waylaid when we were scammed by a fraudulent advertisement. A fine for my speeding resulted in a mistaken 90-month ban from … Read more

We have just recently acquired a puppy, a little white ball of fluff that we call Daisy. She is a source of joy and affection for all of us. I am the one who feeds her first thing, clears up the mess, and leads her in the way that she … Read more